Fig. 171. Blanket, or button-hole stitch.
Straight stem stitch (fig. [172]).—Work from left to right. The needle must always be inserted above the run thread, and brought out underneath it. In the case of a very delicate pattern, take up only just as much stuff as the run thread covers.
Fig. 172. Straight stem stitch.
Sloping stem stitch (fig. [173]).—Work without a run thread; insert the needle from right to left in a slanting direction, under 1 or 2 horizontal threads, and 5 or 6 perpendicular ones; so that each stitch reaches halfway back to the last.
Fig. 173. Sloping stem stitch.
This kind of stem stitch is chiefly used for the fine upstrokes of letters and numbers, and for linen embroidery.